Mercedes-Benz 140-Year Journey Puts Victoria Falls in Global Tourism Spotlight

Mercedes-Benz has brought its global “140 Years. 140 Places.” celebration to Victoria Falls, using the iconic Zimbabwe-Zambia border destination as one of the stops on a worldwide journey marking 140 years of the automotive brand.

The Zimbabwe leg began at the Victoria Falls Bridge, where the Mercedes-Benz delegation received a cultural welcome before continuing to the Big Tree and the historic Victoria Falls Hotel.

The visit provided Zimbabwe with an opportunity to showcase Victoria Falls not only as a natural wonder, but as a destination combining heritage, culture, hospitality and high-end tourism experiences.

Deputy Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Hon. Tongai Mafidi Mnangagwa, representing Minister Barbara Rwodzi, said the presence of the 140-year-old brand at the century-old Victoria Falls Bridge and Victoria Falls Hotel created a significant connection between the destination’s heritage and the Mercedes-Benz journey.

“All that, if you put together, tells a story,” Mnangagwa said, describing the connection as one of “resilience” and “continuity.”

For Mercedes-Benz, the Zimbabwe stop forms part of a journey that has crossed several continents. The Africa leg has included Kenya and Tanzania, with the team travelling from Zambia into Zimbabwe before continuing through Botswana, Namibia and South Africa.

Mercedes-Benz Vehicle Validation Manager. Michael Nadji said the reception in Zimbabwe had made a strong impression on the team.

“I just can’t believe what’s happening here,” he said, referring to the traditional performances and welcome at the Victoria Falls Bridge.

He also highlighted the wider tourism experience, including a boat trip on the Zambezi, and issued a direct invitation to the company’s German audience.

“Come to Zimbabwe,” he said, describing the country’s nature, culture, food and hospitality as experiences visitors should discover for themselves.

The cross-border dimension was also central to the event. Clement Mulungushi, Regional Tourism Development Coordinator representing Zambia’s Ministry of Tourism, described the Victoria Falls Bridge as a shared resource connecting the two countries and said experiences such as the Mercedes-Benz journey could help promote the region’s culture, heritage and natural assets to international markets.

The vehicles involved in the journey carry stickers representing destinations visited, with Victoria Falls now added to the collection. Mercedes-Benz said the team has visited almost 50 countries so far and expects to reach 60 before returning to Stuttgart in October.

For Victoria Falls, the visit adds another high-profile international brand experience to the destination’s growing portfolio, while reinforcing the potential of cross-border tourism between Zimbabwe and Zambia.

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